Franklin: Bill Richard spreads son's message

FRANKLIN - Four years after the Boston Marathon terror attack, Bill Richard continues to share his son's message of peace and kindness.

The attack, which took place near the finish line of the race on April 15, 2013, killed three people - including Bill's son Martin - and injured at least 264. The attack involved two pressure cooker bombs placed on Boylston Street that detonated 12 seconds apart.

"We were in the wrong place at the wrong time," Richard said Monday at Horace Mann Middle School. "We lost Martin, people were hurt, and hundreds of people are still dealing with their injuries today."

A year after the loss of his eight-year-old son, Richard created the Martin W. Richard Charitable Foundation Inc., to honor and preserve the memory of his son and his message to the world: "No more hurting people. Peace."

"Martin's Message of 'no more hurting people, peace' struck a cord with everybody," Richard said. "We will do everything we can to spread Martin's message of peace."

Richard's visit to Horace Mann coincided with the beginning of the school's Peace Week event.

"There are so many negative things we see in the world, and it is important that we need to share these morals," said Jasmin Singh, 14, of Franklin, a member of the school's Community Service club. "I am glad to be part of a team that combats hate."

"We can't change what's happening, but we can change how we respond," said Paige Whateley, 14, of Franklin. "(Richard) took a positive spin on that and made the best of it."

As part of Project 351, a youth service organization dedicated to building unity and leadership through engagement and enrichment of 8th-grade students, Amy Gabriel, 14, the student representative from Franklin, said she first met Richard last fall.

Early this year, Gabriel reached out to Richard to invite him to speak at Horace Mann because she felt Martin's message ran parallel to the ideals for kindness and peace the school strives for.

During Peace Week, along with spreading positivity throughout the school, the students will raise money for the Martin Richard Foundation to support Martin's vision of peace.

"We are hoping that by having Peace Week, we can reduce and replace negativity with positive vibes," said Shreya Jah, 13, of Franklin.

"Hopefully we will leave some legacy behind us and keep that going with the younger students," said William Cerier, 14, of Franklin. "I'd like to see them emulate these role models all over the world like Nelson Mandela, Martin Luther King Jr. and even our teachers."

Cerier said he plans to continue spreading kindness and peace by joining the Community Service club next year at Franklin High School.

"There are always a handful of kids that want to continue the dialogue," said Richard. "You have the superpower to choose kindness."

To support the Martin Richard Foundation, visit http://www.martinrichardfoundation.org/.

Christian Yapor can be reached at 508-634-7521, or at cyapor@wickedlocal.com. Follow him on Twitter @ChristianYapor